941amanda
It's what is under the bridge as well.It's not JUST a bridge. There is night life, art showings, live music. This is where honestly the heart of the art world is brought together. It also includes the river front which is a GREAT family place to bring your kids. You have structural art pieces, the water fountains that kids can actually run around in, at night the art pieces illuminate. The Texas Street Bridge is actually pretty awesome, not to mention that each year or Lent there is a priest that gives out ashes on Ash Wednesday on the bridge.The Texas Street Bridge is a GREAT attraction you just have to know what to look for.
JaclynG654
We lived in Shreveport for a while, and have traveled across this bridge several times. Not sure why it is listed as an "attraction". It is literally just a bridge. Nice to see at night, but still just a bridge.
f1999308
There is nothing outstanding about this bridge, although the vantage points beneath the bridge offer some great views of the river and the opposing side.
DPtripreview
I found this listed on Tripadvisor as an attraction, and had to come in to put in my contribution. What is ridiculous is to list this particular item itself as an attraction. That would work for maybe historians, architects, and/or engineering students, but it doesn't stand as an attraction in and of itself for the regular tourist. Here's why I think that the Texas Street Bridge *is* listed as an attraction though: the bridge stands as a gateway between the two parishes (outside of Louisiana that's known as counties) and the cities on either side of the Red River. Of particular interest is what's at either end of the Texas Street Bridge. On the Bossier side you have two casinos now (this contribution was composed dated 12:53 PM 10/17/2014): the Horseshoe which still seems more modern than the newest addition, Margaritaville. If I recall correctly, as of this writing the Margaritaville casino and hotel have just passed their first anniversary. If I'm wrong, it certainly can't be more than past its' second. I don't know *how* long the Horseshoe casino and hotel have been there, but it still is a more elegant presentation of a casino/hotel that the whole metro area has to date. Both are within walking distance, and they bookend a shopping district called The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk which has as it's largest retailer the Bass Pro Shops, and many other smaller boutique shops. The Outlets at the Louisiana Boardwalk also has a Courtyard Marriott directly attached for those who'd like to have a place to lodge only for the purpose of shopping. There are several restaurants located in the boardwalk, as well as a large movie theater complex called the Regal Louisiana Boardwalk. If you're trying to find a quick and easy way to get in and park, the best option is to go to the Margaritaville side of the Texas Street Bridge to first find parking. If that area is full, there's also a parking structure over by the movie theater side of the bridge. Everything there is within a short strolling distance, and if you're trying to find a place to go to relax, stroll, and kill time, the Bossier side of the Texas Street Bridge has a better-arranged setup. Over on the Shreveport side of the Texas Street Bridge are two more casino/hotels: the El Dorado Casino Hotel and Sam's Town Casino Hotel. They are to one side of the Texas Street Bridge, with the El Dorado immediately next to the bridge, so it's not anything like a long walk. In fact, the footprint area where the Texas Street Bridge lands on Shreveport soil also has something called the Red River District, which has a couple of restaurants, a bar called Fatty Arbuckle's Pub and several nightclubs, all within mere minutes of walking distance. For the adventurous there's even a Larry Flynt's Hustler's Club. Sam's Town and the El Dorado both seem a little dated with their architectural design, but I've stayed at Sam's Town before, and was quite happy with my accomodations and service. Now here's the great thing about the Texas Street Bridge: everything on either side is within walking distance for those of you energetic enough to enjoy a walk over the bridge. If you don't care to, a drive is only a few minutes, and there's plenty of free parking all around. For the truckers, if you want to call either Margaritaville or Sam's Town to see about parking in one of their areas, you probably can. I've seen eighteen wheelers parked on the Shreveport side in the dirt lot at the corner of Clyde Fant Parkway and Caddo Street. That puts you right next to Sam's Town. On the Bossier side I've seen big rigs parked in the dirt lot (it was then, months ago) beyond the Margaritaville property north of West Colquitt Avenue. I would very much stress calling to confirm with Margaritaville for big rig parking, because they've put in driveway circles to help moderate traffic, and I don't know if they have an alternative for big rigs still. Now I've stayed in that area and gone to restaurants, the theater (which offer first-run features in some 14 screens), and gone shopping in the stores. Its great to just drop in if you have a free afternoon, or if you wish to stay a few days. So I think that just naming the Texas Street Bridge an attraction by itself is misleading for the general public. It's whats around nearby that makes it entertaining and recreational. Oh, last mention too: The boardwalk has a Hooter's restaurant. Cheers! Incidentally, I'll see if I can't get some pictures to share with you, the next time I go there and spend some time. I'm talking about the bridge and its' footprint areas! And for those of you frugal (cheap) types, you don't even have to spend any money at all. Park somewhere and walk around spending time people-watching. I've done that before too with friends. For this review, I did not check wheelchair accessible, because I don't think the bridge itself would be wheelchair friendly, but everything else around it is. I also did not enter a website address because you can Google Louisiana Boardwalk and get that link, as well as any of the names of the businesses I've mentioned. I also did not check lockers or storage available, but for that matter if you get lodging, why would you need that?
SBCreviewer
This bridge is not only almost falling to pieces, barely any of the neon lights are on. As far as value, it's a bargain for free! Too bad it's not much to look at. I wonder where all those casino tax dollars are going...
Five_Aces_Tx
It's a bridge with some neon. Not much to see except it gets you from one side of the river to the other. I'm not sure how I managed to keep a straight face as I wrote this "review".
178normand
This is an old bridge spanning the Red River between Bossier City and Shreveport. It starts out at the Boardwalk in Bossier and drops off into the Red River District in Shreveport. This bridge has four narrow lanes for car traffic and a protected sidewalk for foot traffic. From this bridge you can get a good view of the river and both sides of it if you want to photograph the scenery.
FlaFan4U
I've been to Shreveport-Bossier many times through the years and remember when they added neon to the Texas Street Bridge. It really looked nice when they first had the lights working, they even had spotlights shine up into the sky at each end. But through the years, the lights have started to go out and it looks as if the bridge maintenance dept. isn't replacing the neon. Every few months I come back to visit and the bridge is either turned off or barely any neon is lit. Reminds me of the cheap motels and truckstops I used to see in west Texas, New Mexico and Arizona while driving through the desert at night. For this to be such a prominent city landmark, I'm amazed that no one finds it worth fixing. Looks pretty low-rent IMHO but then again, that's Shreveport, it's weird what they find worth keeping up and not.
ssg47
If the lights really worked on this bridge, I'd say maybe it's worth mentioning, but only a few were on the 3 or 4 times I went over the bridge. Everything costs money and these days and Shreveport is working on a very low budget. This shouldn't be even listed as an attraction because it isn't.
d6nash
The lights and the view of all the boats at night are great.. The Boardwalk and Margaritaville makes you wanna just take the view in .
blackpegasus
When all of the neon lights are actually working, which has not been for years, the bridge is still not much to see. Would definitely not go out of my way to see this. I cannot believe that it is even mentioned on Trip Advisor.
timboslice1985
It used to be nice years ago when all of the lights worked. Now most of the lights are out and the lazy city officials don't seem to want to have them replaced. It looks trashy and cheap. Nothing impressive at all. I hope they see this and do something about it.
JohnnieW529
For most days of the year this is just your everyday, ordinary bridge. But on special occasions it becomes some thing quite different. In the past it was lit with neon lights, but over the years the number of actual lights have began to dwindle to where it is now. On special events like July 4th and other such days, the fire works display is quite spectacular, especially for this area.
JonC128
Many years ago when the casinos came to town, the cities decided to decorate the bridge with a bunch of red/orange neon lights. Rumor had it that you could make out the head of a Texas Longhorn if you stood in the right area. I never saw it. At various times there are so many of the neon bulbs burned out that you really don't see much of a pattern at all.Don't go out of your way to see it. But if you're down on the riverfront, chances are you will pass by it.
Rkvbeach
Like many cities, Shreveport does not seem to have the money to repair the neon in the 'Neon Bridge'. Neat older bridge, but not worth the effort to travel to see.